Adopt a Cat from Habitat

Habitat
for Cats holds "Adoption Days"throughout the month at 1322
Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA. Call, email or check local newspapers
for advertised days. Adoptions may also be scheduled by appointment throughout
the week. To adopt a cat or for more information,
call (508) 961-CATS.

Upcoming Adoption Days:
March 3, March 17
March 31

Adoption Information

Our cats and kittens have received the following medical
treatment prior to adoption:

A general veterinary examination is performed. Habitat's
cats are healthy to the best of our knowledge. They are rescued cats,
often with unknown histories, but any known pre-existing illness/condition
will be discussed. We recommend that adopter establish a relationship
with their own vet and the new pet.

All cats and kittens (as young as 8 weeks) are spayed/neutered
prior to adoption. Habitat uses veterinarians experienced in performing
pediatric spay/neuter. Refer to the Resources link
for more information on this subject.

Cats and kittens have received de-worming and flea protection
medications (as required).

Cats/kittens have received, at least, one distemper (FVRCP)
vaccination. Kittens require a booster distemper vaccination 3-4 weeks
after the date of their first vaccine. Consult your veterinarian for vaccine
protocol & schedule.

Cats, age permitting, have received a rabies vaccination.
Any cat with the potential of getting outdoors, should be vaccinated for
rabies.

Cats and kittens are tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and
occasionally tested for feline AIDS (FIV) (as appropriate for their age).
Due to the nature of the Felv/FIV illnesses, on rare occasions, the cat
may develop FeLV/FIV some time after a negative test has been indicated.
Habitat for Cats will not assume responsibilty if this occurs. For further
confidence of a negative test result, HFC strongly recommends that all
cats be retested 3 to 5 months after the initial test. Consult your veterinarian
for details and protocol..

The adoption fees are: $100 for adult & young cats and
$120 for kittens, 5 months or younger. Exotic breeds may be higher.
The adoption fee will assist in paying for the cost of medical and foster
care (generally valued over $200).

Habitat for Cats Adoption Center

Unlike many shelters where animals are confined to cages,
most of Habitat's cats are placed in foster homes. Habitat for Cats does
not operate a "shelter". Private foster care provides the environment
to transition the rescued stray cat from life outdoors and to socialize
young kittens that have never had human contact.

The foster cats are "show cased" for adoption
at Habitat's Adoption Center & Clinic located at 1322 Ashley Blvd,
New Bedford. Some of the cats can be seen in the Adoption Center windows,
but the majority of cats are brought in from foster homes for adoption
hours and other adoption days.

Habitat for Cats is a member of Petfinder.com
Scroll through the list to view some of the cats we have available for
adoption.

Habitat for Cats Adoption Policy

Habitat for Cats adoption policy is intended to provide
a safe, caring, lifelong home to our cats/kittens, and to provide the
adopter with a compatible pet.

HFC may not allow adoption of a particular cat if the cat's needs,
personality and temperament, etc. are not suited to the adopter or
the adopter's living situation. For example, some cats need to be
the only cat, some need to be placed with other animals, the cat may
not like children or dogs, etc. or it may not like being left alone
for a workday.

HFC will not allow adoption if pets are not allowed in a rental
property/home.

All cats must be placed in strictly indoor homes. Occasionally an
exception is made, however, the adopters must keep the cat indoors
at least for the first 6 months (to allow for familiarity with the
environment) and consider keeping the cat indoors for its entire life.

HFC will not allow adoption if the following conditions do not exist:

Adopters must be in the position to make a lifetime (18 year) commitment
to the cat(s).

Adopter must be willing to make choices about living arrangements
(finding a "pets allowed" living situation), roommates or partners,
travel, etc. with the cat(s) best interest in mind.

Adopter must be able to financially afford annual veterinary care
and some emergency care for the lifetime of the animal.

HFC strictly discourages declawing and will refuse adoption if adopter
is planning to declaw.

HFC may not allow adoption if someone living in household is allergic
to cats.

HFC may not allow an adoption to a household which has unneutered
pet(s) over the age of 5 months, or the adopter is unwilling to neuter
all existing pets of any age prior to adoption of this cat.

HFC may not adopt to anyone under the age of 21, students, armed
forces personnel, roommates (three or more), people who travel a lot
or anyone believed to be in a transient situation.

HFC will not adopt cat(s) as gifts, or third party adoptions, the
person who will care for the cat(s) must be present at the time of
adoption.

HFC may not adopt to anyone indicating poor pet care history such
as lost pets, pets hit by cars or injured by children, gave away pets,
etc.

When adoption is to a senior citizen, HFC may request that a family
member be present or someone we can speak with by phone, who is willing
and able to take the cat should the situation arise that the senior
can no longer care for the pet. This person must co-sign the adoption
application and state their commitment in writing.

Habitat for Cats Adoption Contract

Habitat for Cats (HFC) may request that applicant/adopter
present a picture identification for confirmation of application information.
The information presented on the adoption application will be verified.
Specifically, home ownership, rental, landlord and veterinary information
will be verified. If HFC determines that the information provided on the
application is intentionally false, HFC will assume custody of the adopted
cat(s) and the applicant s adoption fee will not be refunded. Adoption
fee will be refunded up to 7 days after adoption date if adopted cat(s)
must be voluntarily returned by applicant for reasons other than specified
in this contract.

Adopter agrees to pay $250.00 per cat as liquidated damages
if the terms of this contract are breached. The liquidated damage value
is agreed to for the purpose of establishing the value of each cat and
does not bar HFC from seeking return of the cat(s) by judicial process
or other legal means.

If adopter cannot keep the adopted cat(s)/kitten(s), adopter
will contact HFC. Adopter will not relinquish the cat(s) to any other
person, shelter or society before contacting HFC.

Adopter agrees to provide a veterinary reference to Habitat
for Cats and to allow HFC to check on the welfare of the cat(s) (with
owner and/or veterinarian). If for any reason the cat(s) is found to be
neglected, abused or mistreated, the adopting party agrees to surrender
the cat(s) to HFC upon request. Under these circumstances, the applicant s
adoption fee will not be refunded.

HFC cats have received a basic veterinary examination and
are healthy to the best of our knowledge. Any known pre-existing health
condition(s) will be brought to adopter s attention. Adopter assumes
responsibility for any subsequent illnesses or medical conditions. HFC
gives no warrantee in regard to this cat s health. HFC strongly
recommends that you establish a relationship between your new pet and
your veterinarian.

Adopter acknowledges the long-term commitment (about 18
years) in adopting the cat(s). Adopter will care for the cat(s) by providing
affection, proper food, water, clean bedding and litter, a clean, warm
and safe living area and veterinary care as needed. This includes having
the kitten spayed/neutered on or before 6 months of age (if it wasn't
done prior to adoption) and providing mandatory yearly rabies vaccination
as required.

Adopter agrees to keep the cat(s) indoors for its entire
life.

Adopter agrees to contact Habitat for Cats within 24 hours
if the cat(s) is lost or if ownership is transferred to another person.

Adopter will not allow the cat(s) to be used for breeding
purposes or for animal experimentation.

Adopter agrees to not declaw the cat(s) and to contact Habitat
for Cats to discuss alternatives to declawing if problems arise.

Adopter agrees that the actions of animals may be unpredictable
and that Habitat for Cats makes no representations as to the behavior
and temperament of the cat(s). Adopter agrees to accept possession of
the cat(s) at their own risk and hereby release and waive any right against
Habitat for Cats now or in the future for any damages to person(s) or
property caused by the adopted cat(s).